House Votes to Raise Cap on Noneconomic Damages
Associated Oregon Industries
Oregon’s largest business advocate
HB 4136, increasing the cap on noneconomic damages in wrongful death cases from $500,000 to $1.5 million, passed the House on Wednesday, February 10. The debate, which was quite contentious, resulted in a 33-27 vote. Three House democrats voted against the bill: Representatives Caddy McKeown (D-Coos Bay), Ann Lininger (D-Lake Oswego), and Jeff Barker (D-Aloha); one republican, John Huffman (R-The Dalles), voted for it.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is likely to be assigned to the Judiciary Committee. The Oregon Trial Lawyers’ Association (OTLA), is reported to be considering an amendment to the bill, which would lower the increase from $1.5 million to $1 million.
AOI opposes any increase in Oregon’s noneconomic damages cap, and will continue to work against the bill in the Senate.
To view the above mentioned bill, you may go to the Oregon State Legislature website.
Disclaimer: Articles featured on Oregon Report are the creation, responsibility and opinion of the authoring individual or organization which is featured at the top of every article.